Death 2 // A Muse Tour Hits Australian Shores

Written by: Belinda Quick
Photos by: Alysha Mallia >> SEE PHOTOS
Thursday 23rd May 2024

It’s been a mere three months since Melbourne’s BANKS ARCADE crossed state lines. One of four epic bands on the lineup NORTHLANE’s Dante tour with ERRA and LANDMVRKS, the wait to bask in the band’s electric energy seemed achingly longer.

Kicking off the Australian leg of their 8-date AU/NZ tour for twin EPs, Death 2 // A Muse, Adelaide would be first satiated. Lighting up social media with wild scenes from New Zealand, the anticipation was palpable to party once again with the self-described ‘Heavy Metal Boyband’, hosts for the evening, boasting an all-Australian bill showcasing our country’s diverse conceptualisations of metalcore.

Dropping the wicked-sweet Lovers on us just this morning, hometown HEARTLINE opened proceedings. Dressed fittingly in pink parachute pants with arterial branches, Luke Taylor invited us to “bring the energy early”. Resembling somewhat a charming cult leader with his flowing mane of hair, bassist Nevenko Sarunic writhed on the stage, all delivering their religious message to an already enthusiastic crowd.

New drummer Oscar enjoying his first ‘proper gig’, Echo took things up another level. Suggesting we needed to prove our energies for the upcoming EARTH CALLER, Taylor instructed all to get down on the ground. Happily obliged across the front room of the Lion Arts Factory, an unexpected and pleasantly surprising crowd jump-up ensued. Closing as the congregation swayed transfixed, a vigorous group of disciples opened it up one last time to the newest beat.

Another TRIPLE J UNEARTHED alum, Sydney’s CLOSURE, commanded by Lucy May, show measures of sweetness, angst and grit. Bleeding Out clearly establishing the intention to leave it all on stage, Sleep Sound’s all too familiar opening shout to “Go with it now!” perhaps an homage to certain ‘90s icons, with inflections of the era's musical style embedded within their modern pop-punk take. Bedroom, rarely played, is a treat, received by a grouping of beloved fans with hands to hearts until the final thrash of Roadside Flowers.

A quiet nod to BANKS ARCADE’s supreme cover, SAINT JHN’s Roses plays before ‘Melbourne’s Metalcore-Mafia’, EARTH CALLER take the stage with passion. Graphic from 2023’s Renormalization, has the crowd swarm and bounce with unprecedented vigour, while around photographers scramble to capture the enigmatic figures on stage. Bringing something just as special as the headliners tonight, and it’s difficult to imagine a more fierce Australian outfit.

Performing for the first time Down, the scene and ‘halfway point’ is set. Announced by dynamic vocalist, Josh Collard, the most streamed, intensely personal Alone follows for anyone that needs it, metal music bonding one and all, symbolised with a handshake between performer and punter in an emotive moment. Confessing, “all that shit was meant for this one”, I Am No Good, creates a churning circle pit; some “proper old school hardcore” takes us out, with Avarice before one final Choke and a bespoke Wall of Death.

A night already described by deep feeling, and knowing the climax we were to reach, still nothing could prepare for the true romance of BANKS ARCADE. In a set that would traverse all six tracks of the Death 2 EP, as well as tease a tantalised crowd with tastes of the entire back and future catalogue, sex and amorousness dripped from every drumbeat, striking every chord.

From the extended intro to opener, Worship the Internet, keeping up an indomitable pace via Sentimental and Killing Games, at four the sado-masochistic anthem More Want sets alight en masse. Returning to 2020’s Fever Dreams EP, Drown sees Josh O’Donnell strap on guitar in serenade, and ‘we are nothing but air’ transfixed. A beauteous midway embrace makes way to a backend embellished with affirmation.

Be Somebody ushering in the second act proves an immensely resonating first track of the double-feature from 2022’s Future Lovers LP, alongside Smile. While inviting less audience interaction, the latter incites Cassanovan sways from O’Donnell whose crooning voice moves the narrative into rising action. Lead single, Heartstop, from the teased second-half EP A Muse, due out within months, peaks seductively in Change’s cat-and-mouse play.

“Who wants to get heavy?” Honey, I thought we were already, but Roulette pleasantly proves me wrong. The penultimate major set track catching me off guard in the most salacious way, a more heated WoD is requested and performed. Returning to, and as if in, Fever Dreams, Sick is the seemingly final exploration of humanity, as instruments are laid to rest. Teasing us, figuratively and literally, a moment of Self Help is an overwhelming goodnight, as much a crowd favourite as an opportunity to thank each and every one of us and embrace each other.

As warm amber lights flash, crowd and band smile. Heightened and hearts on fire, we hear and feel the songline - ‘Don’t stop now’. A request begged but unanswered tonight, this is a band on the rise; it won’t be long until we hear BANKS ARCADE’s ‘Blow [their] heart all over the bassline’ again.

Photos by: Alysha Mallia
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THE SETLIST